Watching an elephant strip bark from a tree as if it were shelling a nut, you can’t help but be impressed by their strength. But when you see a herd of 4,000kg goliaths tenderly nurturing a newborn calf, you soon discover that elephants truly are nature’s gentle giants.
Our elephant volunteer experiences give you the chance to join expert conservationists and researchers in the field and learn about the behaviour, biology and threats facing the world’s largest land mammal. All while make a lasting impact on the long-term conservation of the African elephant.
The top reasons volunteers love these elephant conservation experiences.
Unforgettable elephant encounters
Volunteer in remote conservation areas where elephants roam naturally.
Learn from conservationists in the field
Gain insight into elephant behaviour and the realities of conservation.
Compassion in action
Be part of a dedicated team safeguarding the African elephant.
Understand Africa’s giants
Witness the strength and intelligence of these magnificent animals.
Support global goals
Join projects aligned with WWF, EWT and UN SDGs.
24/7 in-country support
You’re in Africa, so are we. And here whenever you need.
Volunteer stories
Sebastian Lerner
If you are interested in conservation, this project is perfect for you! You can see the difference it's making for wildlife and the ecosystem you are working in.
We have gained an authentic understanding and a new perspective on many things, which we will carry with us forever. It was like watching National Geographic live!
It was truly a privilege to work with the amazing team at Phinda. They were so inspiring, dedicated and willing to share their knowledge with volunteers.
I felt safe at every project and made friendships with staff members and other volunteers that have lasted until this day. I would highly recommend volunteering through ACE at these projects!
It was like National Geographic coming to life. The knowledge that was shared with us was incredible and it made everything more understandable, relatable, and engaging. The expertise delivered to us gave us an appreciation for the whole natural journey.
I would discuss my thoughts and plans with the ACE team and they helped to advise me on which projects would be best for a more comprehensive understanding of wildlife industries, which will go on to help me in the future. Whilst in South Africa, I was able to contact the ACE team 24/7.
For me, surprisingly, the most rewarding aspect of this whole experience were the quiet moments. After an exhausting day coming back to camp, sitting by the fire you yourself made, as the sun sets and the brightest stars you’ve ever laid eyes on becomes visible above your head.
This experience was amazing, I would highly recommend it to anyone, not only to those interested in veterinary but anyone who enjoys travelling and an adventure, wants to learn or just to see South Africa’s wildlife close up with a true feeling of the country.
Monitoring Elephants at the Vikela Kruger Conservation Experience
Elephant volunteer opportunities
Elephant conservation in Africa
For centuries, African elephants have been hunted for their ivory tusks, which are used to make piano keys, souvenirs and symbols of wealth.
Throughout the twentieth century, the ivory trade grew at an alarming rate and threatened to wipe out the African elephant population altogether. Thankfully, in 1989, African elephant conservation projects scored a huge win as the international ivory ban was passed. The ban closed all trade of new elephant ivory. As a consequence, illegal poaching also diminished as ivory stopped being such a saleable commodity. However, in several countries across the world, exemptions can be made so that certain ivory, for example artefacts and musical instruments containing ivory, can still be legally traded.
But after the ban on ivory trade, several African nations, including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe faced challenges. Having successfully implemented elephant conservation programs in the past, they began to experience population surges which led to challenges in managing elephant herds.
In 1997, just eight years after the initial ban, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) made a one-off exemption that permitted Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe to sell their stockpile of ivory to Japan. The sale took place in 1999. In 2008, CITES made a second one-off exemption for the same countries, plus South Africa, to legally sell their stockpile ivory to Japan and China in another one-time sale.
Quotas for these one-off African elephant tusk sales were decided after consultative meetings between governments and CITES. Nevertheless, some conservationists argue that these exemptions also drove increases in illegal ivory poaching.
In the last 10 years, the consensus is that around 50 elephants are killed per day in Africa for their ivory. The more people who support elephant conservation initiatives, the more hope there is for Africa’s remaining elephants.
Volunteer work with elephants in Africa
As part of our elephant volunteer programs, you'll support conservationists on the ground through data collection, behavioural observation, and ecosystem monitoring. From observing herd dynamics, mapping their locations and surveying vegetation, your work will help build a deeper understanding of how elephants shape and sustain their environment.
10 amazing African elephant facts
1. Herds of elephants are usually made up entirely of females and their young
Most herds are led by one of the older females, called a matriarch, and young females will stay with the herd throughout their lives. Males, on the other hand, tend to leave the herd around adolescence and live a more solitary adult life.
2. Elephants really do have incredible memories
Hence the saying "an elephant never forgets". Researchers who work with elephants in Africa have shown they can remember places where their herd found food and water, even many years later. They also remember traumatic experiences and change their behaviour and movements to avoid similar situations.
3. The African elephant lives approximately 50-60 years
Female elephants reach sexual maturity between nine and 12 years old, but it can be as young as seven, depending on the abundance of food and water. They normally have their first baby between 12 and 14 years of age, and can continue having calves up to 50 years old.
5. There are two different kinds of African elephant
The African savanna elephant is the world’s largest land animal, growing up to four metres tall and weighing as much as 6,000kg. The African forest elephant, meanwhile, is smaller and only lives in West and Central Africa. On our elephant volunteer programs, you’ll focus entirely on the larger African savanna elephant.
6. The elephant’s trunk is one of nature’s most remarkable tools
Growing up to two metres in length, it is the longest animal snout in the world. Elephants famously use their trunks as hoses to cool themselves down and can suck and hold up to 8 litres of water at a time before spraying.
7. Elephants also use their trunks for many purposes besides splashing around
They can breathe through it like a snorkel when swimming across deep water, sense vibrations from far-away herds through the ground, sniff out water from kilometres away, and reach leaves on branches up to six metres off the ground. Working with elephants in Africa, you’ll also discover their trunk has incredible fine motor control and can skilfully handle objects as small as a single blade of grass.
8. The African elephant differs from its Asian cousin in many ways
But the most instantly recognisable variation is the shape and size of their ears. The African elephant’s ears are larger and resemble a map of Africa.
9. If you look at the trunks of an African and an Asian elephant side by side, you’ll see another important difference
Whereas the Asian elephant has a single tip at the end of their trunk, the African elephant has two, which it uses to pick up and manipulate objects.
10. African elephants have enormous appetites
A fully grown savanna elephant can consume around 140kg (300lbs) of food a day. To put that in context, chances are you eat about 1.5kg (3.3lbs) per day. At that rate, it would take you three months to get through an African elephant’s daily diet! As herbivores, elephants only eat plants, which is why farmers often take extreme measures to keep elephants away from their crops.
FAQs
How many African elephants are left?
Researchers who work with elephants in Africa estimate there are now close to 400,000 African elephants remaining. In the early twentieth century, their numbers were in the millions. This marks a worryingly steep decline in the population of African elephants.
Where do Africa’s remaining elephants live?
African savanna elephants once covered almost the entire continent but now the vast majority of savanna elephants are found in east and southern Africa. The largest populations are located in Tanzania and especially Botswana. However, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia and some other countries are also home to significant elephant populations.
Is it ethical to volunteer with elephants?
Where possible, elephants should be left in the wild. If at a specialist elephant sanctuary, human interaction should be minimal.
All of our partner animal rehabilitation centres strictly adhere to the animal welfare guidelines set by SATSA and ABTA. Additionally, we only partner with wildlife research projects in Africa that either maintain fully self-sustaining animal populations or operate under a model we call "assisted sustainable", where minimal human support helps ensure long-term viability. This commitment guarantees that animals live as naturally as possible while upholding the highest standards of care, conservation value, and ethical treatment.
For information on the topic of ethical elephant volunteering in Africa, please refer to our Animal Welfare page.
Where can I do volunteer work with elephants in Africa?
We specialise in volunteering in southern Africa. Elephant volunteer opportunities are available in South Africa and Botswana. Our volunteer abroad elephant projects give you the chance to make an impact in wild habitats.
How do I work with elephants abroad?
Take the first step on your giant adventure by simply submitting an enquiry form. We offer opportunities to volunteer with elephants for all experience levels and interests. You can find out more about how we take time to create a customised African Conservation Experience that’s just right for you here.
We can't wait to speak with you about the opportunities to volunteer with elephants in Africa!
